Coupler support



` S. J. STRID oct. 2o, 1936.

COUPLER SUPPORT Fil'ed sept. 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n oct. 2o, 1936.A

s.*J. sTR1D coUPLER SUPPORT Filed sept. A13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented Oct. 20, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,058,270 COUPLERSUPPORT Sven J. Stricl, Chicago, Ill. Application September 13, 1933,Serial No. 689,167

9 Claims.

This invention relates to railways cars, and more particularly tocoupler supports and the like.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a new andYimproved removable car coupler support that is provided with means forsupporting the coupler and for automatically centering the same.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a` car couplersupport in which tracks are provided for supporting the coupler, thetracks being removable.

A further object of the invention is thev provision of a new andimproved coupler support that may be easily and readily removed from thestriking plate or casting and that has an interlocking connection withsaid plate or casting.

Another object of the invention is the -provision of a coupler supporthaving new and improved means for connecting the same to the strikingplate casting without the aid of screws, bolts or pins.

A still further object of the invention is the :provision of a new andimproved coupler support together with novel means for changing theheight of the support for vertically adjusting the height of thecoupler.

`Another object of the invention isthe provision of a new and improvedcoupler support that is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture, easily installed, efficient in operation and which is notlikely to become broken or outof-repair. Y(

Other and further objects and advantagesof the invention will appearfrom the following description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a portionof a railway car showing the invention in position thereon with partsbroken away and parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a section on lthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

xFig. 3 is a top plan view of the track member or base plate;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the saddle or coupler supporting member;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation thereof;

Fig. 9 is a section -on the line 9 9 of Fig. 1 -showing a coupler'ordrawbar in position on the supporting unit in dotted lines; Fig; 10 isan end elevation of a portion of a railway carshowing a modied form ofthe invention in position thereon with parts broken away and parts insection;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line II-I l of Fig. 10; f

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 of Fig. 10

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the track member or base plate;

Fig. 14 is a section on the line III-I4 of Fig. 13; and Y Fig. 15 is asection on the line I5-I5 of Fig. 13.

In the construction of coupler devices and supports therefor on modernrailway cars, it is desirable that the parts be so designed that thenumber of parts that are to be attached by screws, bolts and the like bereduced to a minimum for the reason that bolts or screws tend to comeloose and may cause considerable inconvenience, if not seriousconsequences.

It is common practice to employ Yanintegrally cast striking plate orcasting through which the drawbar or coupler shank extends, but in orderto permit the insertion of a coupler shank provided with a pivotedcoupler butt the height of theA openingthrough the casting must beenlarged. It has been proposed to reduce the size of this opening afterthe coupler shank is inserted by a removable carry iron secured inposition'by bolts, but this arrangement is objectionable because thebolts may become loosened and release the carry iron fro-m the strikingplate, thereby permitting the coupler to drop too low to make propercoupling connection with the coupler of an adjacent car. 'Ihe presentinvention seeks to remedy this difficulty by the provision of aremovable coupler supporting unitv that is interlocked in positionwithout the aid of bolts, screws or other fastening means.

Referring nowto the drawings, the reference character I0 designates theend of a railwayv car to which is rigidly attached the striking plate orcasting H, as is usual in such constructions. The striking platecomprises the upper angular fattaching portion I2, the depending sidesI3 and the connecting bottom member I4, which are all cast integral,forming an opening I5 extending through the plate or casting. Each ofthe side members-I3 is provided on its `inner surface'with a recess ornotch 'IB adjacent tothe lower marginal edge I'I of the opening I5.`Laterally extending passages I8 and I9 are in communication 50 withthe'upper portionsof the recesses IIi, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2Aof the drawings.

The side members` I 3 are also provided with pockfrom the pockets 2I ateach side of the opening. Lateral passages 23 and 24 are provided forpermitting the insertion of the upper lugs of the saddle into thenotches 22, as will presently appear.

The opening I5 through the striking plate or casting is of suiicientdimension to permit the insertion of coupler 25 which may be providedwith a swivel butt 26, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 9 of thedrawings.

Suitable means are provided for supporting the coupler and drawbar fromthe striking plate or casting. In the form of construction shown, whichis by way of example only, this mechanism comprises a supporting unitdesignated generally by the reference character 28. This unit comprisesa base plate or track member 21 and a cradle or coupler supportingmember 33. The track member or base plate 21 is hollow and is providedwith outwardly extending lugs 28 and 29 at each end thereof. The bottomwall of this base plate is provided with a plurality of curved tracks 30and 3I, two being shown. A slot 32 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is provided inthe bottom wall of the base plate which will permit Water falling on thetracks to escape therefrom.

The lugs 28 and 29 extending outwardly from the ends of the base plateor track member are of such dimensions as to slide freely through theopenings I8, I9, 23 and 24 and seat in the re cesses 22 and I6,respectively.

The cradle or coupler supporting member 33 is provided for engaging thecoupler bar and supporting the same. This member is provided on itslower surface with a pair of curved tracks 34 and 35 corresponding tothe Cooperating tracks 39 and 3| in the base plate 21. Suitable rollers35 and 31 are adapted tobe inserted between the tracks of the base plateand those of the cradle or coupler supporting member, as shown moreclearly in Figs. 1 and 9 of the drawings. The cooperating curved tracksare elongated to permit lateral movement of the yoke or couplersupporting member 33, during operation of the device.

The coupler supporting member 33 is provided on its upper surface withupstanding lugs 38 and 39 at the ends thereof for engaging at each sideof the coupler member when the same is in position therein, as indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 1. In assembling the device, the coupler ordrawbar is inserted through the opening I5, rollers are placed withinthe hollow track member 21 within the tracks 38 and 3 I, after which thecoupler supporting member 33 is lowered into coupler mem-Y ber 21. Thecoupler supporting unit is then placed in position in the striking plateor casting beneath the coupler member by causing the lugs 28 and 29 tomove laterally through the passages 23 and I8, or 24 and I9, as the casemay be, and seat in the recesses 22 and I6, respectively. The coupler iselevated to permit the insertion of the supporting unit after which itis lowered to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

In the operation of the device, the track and rollers Will permit theside movement of the drawbar, the pockets 2l aording a clearance for thelugs 38 and 39. The curvature of the tracks will automatically centerthe drawbar inasmuch as any lateral movement of said bar will cause thecoupler supporting member to be elevated, due to the curvature of thetracks.

The form of construction shown in Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, differsfrom that just described in in that the portion of the striking plate orcasing 4I is provided with a channel 42 for receiving the lower portionof the coupler supporting unit 60. This unit comprises couplersupporting means 10 and a base plate 43 having curved tracks 44 and onits upper surface and provided with depending pins 46 and 41 which areadapted to engage openings in shims or in corresponding openings 48 and49 in the bottom Wall of the channel 42, as will presently appear.

Suitable means are provided for preventing the endwise movement of thebase plate 43. In the form of construction shown, the base plate isprovided with a groove 4U at each side thereof which is adapted to beengaged by lugs 50 integral with the side walls 42. See Fig. 12.

'Ihe rules of the American Railway Association prescribe that thecoupler shank shall be a fixed distance from the rails. In order toavoid accuracy in the casting of different parts of the supportingmechanism, shims 6I are provided which may be inserted between the baseplate and the bottom of the channel 42.

The parts are so constructed that normally one or more shims arenecessary so that if, for any reason, the drawbar is too high, one ormore may be removed, and if too low, one or more may be added.

The coupler supporting means 10 comprises two parts, the cradle 5I and acarrying iron 52. The cradle 5I is provided on its lower surface with apair of curved tracks 53 and 54 corresponding to the tracks 44 and 45,respectively, and has a depression in its upper surface, into which thecarrying iron 52 is adapted to seat. The carrying iron 52 is providedwith lugs 55 and 56 extending outwardly from each end thereof which areadapted to engage corresponding recesses 51 and 58 in the cradle 5I. Alateral passage 59 is in cornmunication with the recesses 58 at each endof the carrying iron 52 whereby the same may be placed in position byrst moving the lugs 58 laterally along the passage 59 and then loweringthe lugs and 56 into recesses 51 and 58.

The lower tracks 44 and 45 are provided with openings 62 which permitthe water to escape from the tracks, as in the previously described lconstruction.

In both forms of the device, the coupler supporting unit comprisessupporting means and supported means oscillatably mounted thereon.

The entire unit may be removed for inspection, i

nection with the accompanying drawings, that the construction andoperation of my device will be apparent to those skilled in the art, andthat changes in size, shape, proportion and details of construction maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a railway car, a striking plate cast integral and having anopening through whichl a drawbar is adapted to extend, said plate havingan integral tie bar forming the lower margin of said opening, the sidewalls of said opening being provided with vertical notches and withlateral passages leading into the upper portions of said notches, acoupler supporting unit having lugs extending outwardly .therefrom andmovable laterally along said passages and seated in said notches, saidunit being removable While said draw bar extends through said openingfor increasing the dimensions of said opening whereby said draw bar maybe removed therefrom and comprising a supporting member and a supportedmember oscillatably mounted thereon.

2. In a. railway car, a striking plate having an enlarged openingthrough the same for receiving a draw bar, the side and bottom marginalwalls of said opening being integral, a removable coupler supportingunit for restricting the size of said opening and for supporting saiddraw bar above the lower margin of said opening, and means forinterlocking said unit to said plate and permitting the removaltherefrom while said draw bar is in position in said opening, said unitcomprising a lower stationary member and an upper movable member adaptedto engage said draw bar and support the same above the lower margin ofsaid opening.

3. In a railway car, a striking plate having an enlarged openingtherethrough for the reception of a coupler shank member having apivoted coupler butt, said opening having its marginal edge portionsconstituting an integral structure, a coupler supporting unit detachablycarried by said plate for restricting the elfective vertical dimensionsoi' said opening, said unit comprising a track carrying member and acoupler supporting member, means including tracks and rollers forrockably mounting one of said members to swing laterally of the car, andone of said members being provided with a plurality of positioning lugsat each end thereof for engaging in laterally and downwardly extendingslots in an adjacent surface, whereby portions of said unit may beremoved by disconnecting the lug and slot connections, and removing oneof said members for enlarging said opening vertically for removing saidcoupler member therefrom.

4. In a railway car, an integral striking plate member having an openingtherethrough for the reception of a draw bar, said plate having anintegral tie bar beneath said opening, a coupler supporting unit, andmeans including lugs and slots opening forwardly for detachably mountingsaid unit in said opening while said draw bar extends therethrough, saidunit comprising supporting means and supported means oscillatablymounted on said supporting means.

5. In a railway car, a striking plate having an opening therethrough forthe reception of a draw bar, the bottom and side marginal walls of saidopening being integral, the side walls of said opening being providedwith notches and with lateral passages leading into the upper portionsof said notches, a coupler supporting unit comprising a base platehaving lugs movable along said passages and seated in said notches andconstituting the sole means for securing said unit to said plate, saidbase plate having curved tracks thereon, and a coupler engaging memberhaving curved tracks on its underside corresponding to the tracks onsaid base plate and rollers between said tracks, said unit beingremovable from said plate without removing said coupler engaging memberfrom said base plate.

6. In a railway car, a striking plate having integral top, bottom andside walls forming an enlarged opening through said plate for receivinga coupler shank having a pivoted coupler on an end thereof, said bottomwall having a recess therein below said opening, a base member having atrack on its' upper surface located within said recess, a cradle memberhaving tracks on its lower surface, rotating elements between saidtracks, said cradle member having upstanding arms provided withlaterally and downwardly extending slots in their inner walls, and acoupler supporting element having a plurality of horizontally extendinglugs on each end thereof for engaging said slots.

'7. In a device of the class described, a striking casting having anopening through which a draw bar is adapted to extend, the lowermarginal wall of said opening being integral with the side marginalwalls thereof, said side marginal walls each having slots therein withportions in vertical alinement, a hollow casing supporting memberopening upwardly and having outwardly extending lugs at each end thereoffor detachably engaging said slots, said casing having curved tracks onthe upper surface of its bottom wall, a cradle movably mounted in saidcasing and extending above the same for supporting said draw bar, saidcradle having curved tracks on its lower surface above the tracks insaid casing, rollers between the tracks on said casing, and cradle fornormally centering said draw bar.

8. In a railway car, a striking plate having an opening therethrough forthe reception of a draw bar, the side and bottom marginal walls of saidopening being integral, said opening being enlarged downwardly, draw barsupporting means in the lower portion of said opening and extendingabove the lower marginal edge thereof, said means comprising ahorizontal track supporting portion having elongated curved tracksthereon and arms extending upwardly from each end thereof, each armhaving a pair of lugs thereon for engaging a pair of slots spacedvertically in each side marginal wall of said opening, the upper slotsopening upwardly and the lower extending horizontally and thendownwardly in the plane of the upper slots, a cradle for engaging andsupporting said draw bar, said cradle having elongated curved tracks onits lower surface above said rst-named tracks, rollers between thetracks on said cradle and means, and upstanding lugs on each end of saidcradle for engaging the sides of said draw bar.

9. In a railway car, a striking casting having an opening therethroughfor the reception of a draw bar, the lower marginal wall of said openingbeing integral with said casting, a hollow supporting casing in thelower portion of said opening and resting on said lower marginal wall,said side marginal walls and casing having interengaging slot and lugconnections for detachably retaining said casing in position within saidopening, a cradle within said casing extending above said casing forsupporting said draw bar, and means between said cradle and the bottomwall of casing for rockably supporting said draw bar, said means beingadapted to cause said cradle to automatically return to a centralposition when moved to either side thereof and released.

SVEN J. STRID.

